Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain meats to affect a desirable color and prevent the growth of poisons and bacteria. When nitrates and nitrites are exposed to heat and other conditions during the curing process, they are sometimes transformed into nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer in a number of studies.
In addition to this, nitrates and nitrites have been linked to "stalling"--or unexpected stops in weight loss--even when consumers are on low carb diets, such as Atkins, that specifically prescribe the consumption of meat that could potentially contain nitrates and nitrites.
Most meats that contain nitrates and nitrites (sausage, bacon, ham, and some types of smoked fish) also have high amounts of fat. This could, in part, explain for the stalling--if the fat intake far surpasses the prescribed amount (for low carb diets) needed to "satiate" the body and prevent it secretion of hormones that stall weight-loss.
Cured meats are also generally high in LDL cholesterol, which experts say is responsible for clogging arteries, when it slowly deposits and then mixes with other compounds to form plaque, a hard substance that blocks passageways, preventing the flow of blood to the heart.
If you subscribe to a low carb weight loss plan, you should monitor your intake of nitrates and nitrites carefully to mitigate the accumulation of carcinogenic nitrosamines and prevent "stalls" or high levels of bad cholesterol caused by over-consumption of fatty cured meats.
If you do continue to consume a sizable portion of these meats on your low carb diet, you should try to find a source of preservative-free, fresh meat, whether it be a local butcher or a mail-order meat source.
In addition, you should specifically choose meats and portions that keep your cholesterol consumption below 300 mg/day--and your fat intake at a reasonable level according to the precepts of your low carb diet.
Benji Paras runs http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a http://www.list-of-low-carb-food.com along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.
premium house cleaning Wilmette .."The kind of thoughts that you plant in your mind,... Read More
Body wraps can help tone and tighten the skin, improve... Read More
All Diets Are Based on the Same Premise: Eat Less... Read More
In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen,... Read More
If you're on a weight loss program you're under constant... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
Looking to lose weight quickly? The good news is that... Read More
Today obesity, diabetes, and heart disease run through us at... Read More
It is very tempting to try that fad diet that... Read More
It is common for new WLS patients to ask, "How... Read More
Cellulite is not a medical condition or an aesthetic mutiny... Read More
Q: "I'm wondering if you can help me. I'm not... Read More
I personal lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More
Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More
Now this is the real American Dream! I'm here to... Read More
MYTH: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.FACT: Fad diets... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More
Have you ever wished for a diet where you ate... Read More
You are not a kid any more and becoming a... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a best selling... Read More
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
What is a calorie? The definition of a calorie is... Read More
personalized cleaning services Deerfield ..Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More
As a Master swimmer I am made painfully aware, each... Read More
IntroductionObesity is the most common health problem facing children today.... Read More
How much will power does it take in order to... Read More
The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering... Read More
One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More
The Order of Energy UtilizationBack to our table of stored... Read More
From driving up your blood pressure and cholesterol, to increasing... Read More
Very few Americans are satisfied with their current weights. There... Read More
In recent years, carbohydrates have been labeled as the nutrition... Read More
What is negative calorie effect? Whatever food we eat,... Read More
If winter hibernation tends to pack on the pounds, take... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
Although every dieter knows that keeping food records is a... Read More
You have decided that you want to lose weight and... Read More
Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and... Read More
For those of you who aren't familiar with ephedra let... Read More
Used a diet pill recently and got depressed because you... Read More
In the medical community, "obesity" is generally said to be... Read More
If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to... Read More
As many of us know, it's the first few days... Read More
You step on the scale and groan at the number... Read More
When you are faced with the daily challenge of trying... Read More
Weight Loss |